the american way to give to people who are in need. >> reporter: mr. romney had argued in a primary debate for disaster relief to be shifted to the states. even to nongovernment charities. would he kill fema? no answer today. >> what would you do with people a? why won't you answer any questions? >> reporter: obama's spokesperson says the states are in the best position to direct the assistance. tomorrow, president obama joins high profile republican governor chris christie for a tour of new jersey damage. political opponents brought together by the super storm. i'm steve handelsman, news4. >> so far the federal response to sandy has been widely praised. >>> veronica joins us now with numbers on the wind and rain. how much we got. >> that's right. how much we got and the issues we're seeing today which is really some of the tributaries off the potomac, we're continuing to see those swollen, rivers, creeks, streams. the concern is frederick, maryland. we saw flooding in patuxent. for frederick county and for loudoun county, 19.6 feet and it is cresting